Counting Our Nuts Like Chip & Dale, a Financially Aware PTR *Update 4/17 Pg 62 *

[TarzansKat]

Why are you just so darn savvy?

It's a gift.

Okay, I could barely type that with a straight face.

You had all great points, we have always had park hoppers and I have used them on all trips I think except maybe the May trip when my blisters were out of control. I can't really remember, I just block out that horrific experience.

I read earlier in your response about the parks being open less hours in January. This is true. When I went with Mom, we didn't park hop. She had the ability to with her annual pass, but we went with a non hopper for me. We were taking a five day trip and it just didn't make sense to spend the extra money on it when with careful planning we could do everything we really wanted to.

And all we really wanted was to be there together, so it was an awesome trip regardless.

Right now I'm leaning towards no dining plan, I think that I much rather pay OOP for restaurants I really want to try instead of fitting in 5 table services that I feel just so-so about. Marc doesn't care either way, I can talk him in or out of anything, his has two dining requests which happen to be two places that I want to go to very much so it all works out.

I totally agree with you. Why do meals that you feel meh about when you could have a couple you're going to really, really enjoy? When DH and I used to go before we had kids, we only did one or two sit down meals per trip, and those were longer trips.

Also the days when you didn't have to plan ressies six months out, but oh well.

 

[shannn]

I say no to the Dining Plan~ mainly because I can't eat that much anymore. Your lap band is probably more forgiving then my surgery though. My only problem is that I really can't eat counter service food anymore either so even though I can't eat the servings at table service restaurants I need the protein that their food supplies. I end up with lots of leftovers or (more likely) sharing a lot with the disposal that I call a 9 year old son!!

As for the hoppers, I could probably do without them. I tend to plan my park days around TGM's recommendations and then plan my meals around that. And I'm really big on resort restaurants so it doesn't matter which park I'm at that day. Although I do love hopping over to Epcot since our home resort is the Boardwalk these days. I guess I'm with Kat~ start off without them and then save towards getting them.

Oh, and I actually started a trip report if you're interested in watching me shrink! (Link in my siggie)

 

[Roxychica7]

Let's see...I say go without the park hoppers. With the parks being cooler with the weather, I think not having them will give you the opportunity to relax and slow down and not feel like you have to hop. You may even want to utilize checking out some more resorts or doing naps and just going back to the same park later. I think if you are dead set on making it a low cost trip, go without it and if you really feel like you are being restricted just add them on when you get there.
Or you use the extra money toward a barrel of polenta at Brown Derby

As for the dining plan..hmm, I say listen to your body. I know you have had trouble in the past with your trips. If you feel like you are going to feel overwhelmed by the amount of food, you can always get appetizers for yourself and share Marc's entree (if he allows if of course! ), then that way, if you run into trouble, you don't feel like you wasted food and the money for it.

 

[cdotla]

Hi Leslie,

Just joining, and I am all caught up courtesy of your links. I LOVE links.

Sounds like a great trip you have lined up, and I would say you absolutely did have a flash of brilliance with the DVC points...getting AKL over Pop and saving $50 in the process...well that is sheer brilliance I would say!

Congrats to you for taking a Dis holiday, and improving your health and finances. I should take a lesson from you!

Sorry if this is repetitive or outdated, as I haven't read all the chit-chat in between your posts, but I would recommend that you not do the Disney DVC sales pitch during your trip for 2 reasons.

First, unless you are wanting to hold out to buy GFV, whenever those go on sale, you are so much better off getting DVC by resale. The resale prices are rock bottom right now, so it is a buyer's market. (That said, in the last week Disney has started buy-backs through ROFR on both OWK and GCV, so that may be a sign that prices may go back up. However, I still think that is very unlikely. Disney just can't absorb all the low prices in the private resale market right now to be able to purchase everything that goes to ROFR. So I personally think these buy-backs were bleeps and the low resale prices will be here for awhile).

Secondly, while I have never done the DVC presentation myself, I expect it will likely eat about 3 hours out of your trip by the time you get there, do to pitch, and then get to where you are going from there. Given you are only going for 5 days, I don't think that would be worth it.

Let's admit it: there isn't a DISer out there who wouldn't want to buy DVC after the presentation. Plus, any info the guide could provide you (and many times, much better and more insightful information) is available right here on the Dis.

I know you get some swag for attending, but to me, your time would be worth more than that. Maybe if you had at least 7 days to visit that might be different, but to me, with only 5 days I would be inclined to give it a pass.

If you felt your DH was on the fence, and wanted to convince him, then the presentation would definitely be a must-do because I think very few people who like Disney at all would be unconvinced afterwards. However, it sounds like he is already on board.

Anyway, that is just my thought. Perhaps you feel that you could stand to give up an afternoon to get you more excited about DVC. Good luck in your deliberations!

Can't wait to countdown to your departure day!

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm having a heck of a time figuring out our ADRs and park days. I have questions and need your answers and input.

*I really want park hoppers but it adds $117.14 to our budget and I just can't justify that extra cost right now. Maybe if our finances are better in January we can add them at the last minute.

*Here are the park days I have schedule right now...I'm not happy and can't seem to figure out a better way.

Sunday: Arrive/Magic Kingdom/Dinner @ Kona - MK EMHs until 2AM

Monday: Animal Kingdom/Lunch @ Yak N' Yeti

Tuesday: Hollywood Studios/Perhaps Pictures in afternoon?

Wednesday: Magic Kingdom/Boma dinner?

Thursday: Epcot/Lunch @ Le Cellier/Dinner somewhere?

Friday: Whatever Park we want/late flight home

Here is what I like:I like that we go to MK on arrival day
I like that on Tuesday or Wednesday I could do pictures in the afternoon and have Boma for dinner on the other day.

Here is what I don't like:
We only have one Epcot day and it's not until Thursday.
I don't know if I should plan for EMHs or avoid them. I'm confused on this.
I want park hoppers for more flexibility. I could go to DHS two mornings to get in our Toy Story Mania and still go to a different park (Epcot!) in the afternoon.
I am not sure if I want 2 sit down ADRs on one day.
Not a single place (except for Le Cellier which I won't eat because it comes with spicy stuff, ick) has polenta on the menu! Polenta is my Disney thing, that makes me sad.

Will someone or many of you please help make sense of the jumble of ideas and plans swimming in my head??

Ok, I'll be the lone dissenter here and say that if your goal is to do Disney on a budget, then stick to that. It's Disney... you are going to have a fabulous time with or without PHs. I look at it this way... on DHS and AK days where you don't spend a full day in the parks, you can do other things that are free. You could go to DTD, enjoy the Boardwalk, visit a resort that you haven't seen yet, or best of all, take some time to explore AKL.

Okay, I am going to chime in with Rinky -- don't do park hoppers. We have not had park hoppers since 2007, and it has been okay. The nice thing about returning to the same park in the afternoon/evening is that you can collect Fast Passes in the morning and then use them that night. It works wonderfully.

Okay, tell me again why you decided to do the dining plan? Was it just to have everything paid up front? Could you do the same thing with just putting the money on a gift card -- you could even put it on a Visa gift card and then what you don't spend at Disney you could spend on something else? My thinking along those lines is this -- you are having way too hard a time deciding on ADRs -- just do the ones you really want and then eat counter service. Also, go ahead and schedule a Brown Derby ADR so you can have your polenta. If you don't do the dining plan, you won't feel like you are using two credits.

If it were me, I would axe the Yak and Yeti and do Boma on your AK day because the park always closes early -- you are not really going to want to leave MK to go to Boma. My other thought is to move Epcot to Monday and Animal Kingdom to Thursday because you aren't a big AK fan, so waiting until Thursday wouldn't be the end of the world. I think the time of year you are going -- the EMHs and crowds won't be a problem.

Does ANY of that help?

I think I am leaning towards no park hoppers, it would save a substantial amount of money and I think that is what we need for this trip.

Ok so I have meaning to reply for over a day now... busy...

1st off I am w/ Rinky and CP as well....I think if you are already second gussing getting PH's then don't! We have hopped and not hopped and have had good trips both times...but you need to feel GOOD w/ the choice in your plans and $$ wise...

We are NOT hopping for our 5 days in Jan w/ the kids and splitting up a few days w/ a break at the resort, shopping and mini golf...trying to come up w/ a PH plan was way tricky and seemed even more exhausting...like you we KNOW we'll be BACK and this is a FUN QUICK trip and doesn't need to be overloaded

I like you plan up above and especially w/ some of CP's suggestions...

we are doing the MK EMH on our arrival like you...we plan to go to MK after check-in have lunch then when our room is ready later in day...go back take a break have dinner in the room and then go back to MK for the rest of the evening...Matt will probably walk back (BLT) w/ a few of the kids and I will stay on w/ the others...


your other days look good too I wouldn't over worry the crowds...yes they might be a little fuller at the begining, but you don't have to do it all...

I vote that you re think OOP vs DDP...think about your dinning habits and the fact that you have a kitchenette in your Studio...once you run those crazy #'s you might surprise yourself...Matt and I are even doing our anni trip OOP and that includes 2 sig resturants...one is lunch at HBD too.

I'd be happy to help w/ those #'s just let me know...

good luck w/ the decisions

J~

 

[Lady Lallie]

You know I would be all about that!

It's much easier to plan someone else's trip. I would have switched resorts five times by now if this was my trip.

It is much easier planning other people's trips, like when I helped you with park days last year. I can tell you where to go no problem, I just can't tell myself.

It's a gift.

Okay, I could barely type that with a straight face.

I read earlier in your response about the parks being open less hours in January. This is true. When I went with Mom, we didn't park hop. She had the ability to with her annual pass, but we went with a non hopper for me. We were taking a five day trip and it just didn't make sense to spend the extra money on it when with careful planning we could do everything we really wanted to.

And all we really wanted was to be there together, so it was an awesome trip regardless.

I totally agree with you. Why do meals that you feel meh about when you could have a couple you're going to really, really enjoy? When DH and I used to go before we had kids, we only did one or two sit down meals per trip, and those were longer trips.

Also the days when you didn't have to plan ressies six months out, but oh well.

I wish I didn't have the pressure of deciding where I want to eat six months in advance, this trip it is bothering me more than usually. I don't know why. Maybe because my attitude towards food has changed? I dunno. I'm sitting here trying to re-do park days and plug in ADRs and I'm just so confused!

I say no to the Dining Plan~ mainly because I can't eat that much anymore. Your lap band is probably more forgiving then my surgery though. My only problem is that I really can't eat counter service food anymore either so even though I can't eat the servings at table service restaurants I need the protein that their food supplies. I end up with lots of leftovers or (more likely) sharing a lot with the disposal that I call a 9 year old son!!

As for the hoppers, I could probably do without them. I tend to plan my park days around TGM's recommendations and then plan my meals around that. And I'm really big on resort restaurants so it doesn't matter which park I'm at that day. Although I do love hopping over to Epcot since our home resort is the Boardwalk these days. I guess I'm with Kat~ start off without them and then save towards getting them.

Oh, and I actually started a trip report if you're interested in watching me shrink! (Link in my siggie)

I have pretty much decided no park hoppers and no dining plan. I just rather be able to pick and choose what we eat. I have anxiety about eating in restaurants to begin with so it doesn't make this picking and choosing any easier!

Let's see...I say go without the park hoppers. With the parks being cooler with the weather, I think not having them will give you the opportunity to relax and slow down and not feel like you have to hop. You may even want to utilize checking out some more resorts or doing naps and just going back to the same park later. I think if you are dead set on making it a low cost trip, go without it and if you really feel like you are being restricted just add them on when you get there.
Or you use the extra money toward a barrel of polenta at Brown Derby

As for the dining plan..hmm, I say listen to your body. I know you have had trouble in the past with your trips. If you feel like you are going to feel overwhelmed by the amount of food, you can always get appetizers for yourself and share Marc's entree (if he allows if of course! ), then that way, if you run into trouble, you don't feel like you wasted food and the money for it.

Mmmm, a barrel of polenta! I like the sound of that. I sat down and picked out some meals from the restaurants we are considering and most of what I picked was appetizers or seafood for main entrees as I have an easier time eating that.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Hi Leslie,

Just joining, and I am all caught up courtesy of your links. I LOVE links.

Sounds like a great trip you have lined up, and I would say you absolutely did have a flash of brilliance with the DVC points...getting AKL over Pop and saving $50 in the process...well that is sheer brilliance I would say!

Congrats to you for taking a Dis holiday, and improving your health and finances. I should take a lesson from you!

Sorry if this is repetitive or outdated, as I haven't read all the chit-chat in between your posts, but I would recommend that you not do the Disney DVC sales pitch during your trip for 2 reasons.

First, unless you are wanting to hold out to buy GFV, whenever those go on sale, you are so much better off getting DVC by resale. The resale prices are rock bottom right now, so it is a buyer's market. (That said, in the last week Disney has started buy-backs through ROFR on both OWK and GCV, so that may be a sign that prices may go back up. However, I still think that is very unlikely. Disney just can't absorb all the low prices in the private resale market right now to be able to purchase everything that goes to ROFR. So I personally think these buy-backs were bleeps and the low resale prices will be here for awhile).

Secondly, while I have never done the DVC presentation myself, I expect it will likely eat about 3 hours out of your trip by the time you get there, do to pitch, and then get to where you are going from there. Given you are only going for 5 days, I don't think that would be worth it.

Let's admit it: there isn't a DISer out there who wouldn't want to buy DVC after the presentation. Plus, any info the guide could provide you (and many times, much better and more insightful information) is available right here on the Dis.

I know you get some swag for attending, but to me, your time would be worth more than that. Maybe if you had at least 7 days to visit that might be different, but to me, with only 5 days I would be inclined to give it a pass.

If you felt your DH was on the fence, and wanted to convince him, then the presentation would definitely be a must-do because I think very few people who like Disney at all would be unconvinced afterwards. However, it sounds like he is already on board.

Anyway, that is just my thought. Perhaps you feel that you could stand to give up an afternoon to get you more excited about DVC. Good luck in your deliberations!

Can't wait to countdown to your departure day!

I really love links too!! He actually talked to DVC and decided we needed to wait, that is what I thought but I was going to let him take the reins on the decision. There are too many other things we want/need to do with our money so I'm happy with that decision. I know we will become DVC owners someday.

Ok so I have meaning to reply for over a day now... busy...

1st off I am w/ Rinky and CP as well....I think if you are already second gussing getting PH's then don't! We have hopped and not hopped and have had good trips both times...but you need to feel GOOD w/ the choice in your plans and $$ wise...

We are NOT hopping for our 5 days in Jan w/ the kids and splitting up a few days w/ a break at the resort, shopping and mini golf...trying to come up w/ a PH plan was way tricky and seemed even more exhausting...like you we KNOW we'll be BACK and this is a FUN QUICK trip and doesn't need to be overloaded

I like you plan up above and especially w/ some of CP's suggestions...

we are doing the MK EMH on our arrival like you...we plan to go to MK after check-in have lunch then when our room is ready later in day...go back take a break have dinner in the room and then go back to MK for the rest of the evening...Matt will probably walk back (BLT) w/ a few of the kids and I will stay on w/ the others...


your other days look good too I wouldn't over worry the crowds...yes they might be a little fuller at the begining, but you don't have to do it all...

I vote that you re think OOP vs DDP...think about your dinning habits and the fact that you have a kitchenette in your Studio...once you run those crazy #'s you might surprise yourself...Matt and I are even doing our anni trip OOP and that includes 2 sig resturants...one is lunch at HBD too.

I'd be happy to help w/ those #'s just let me know...

good luck w/ the decisions

J~

Are you doing other EMH park days? I re-did my park days and now I'm mostly at the parks on EMH days. I honestly don't think it's going to affect us that much, it's January and I do don't thrill rides so it should be fine, right? I don't know why I am so worried about the crowds, but I am. I mean I have gone the last two Januarys and wasn't bothered by the crowds at all except for MK on Sunday...which makes me apprehensive. Marc made a good point today, while we were at Whole Foods today during lunch, we split two of their little desserts and we were full enough to not have to eat for a few hours. I need to get it out of my head that we have to eat full meals, we can graze our way around Disney and still be satisfied. I also think we are going to split any CS meals we order and if we are still hungry get something later on. I just need to relax!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Want to know how I'm spending my Saturday night? Rearranging park days, budgeting for OOP food and being a nervous wreck about my plans. What is wrong with me? I need to chill out.

In good news, we are officially under 6 months, as noted by my ticker down below. Being under 6 months makes vacation seem that much closer.

Okay, so the new plans. First let's talk about my new OOP food budget. We have three ADRs still but they look very different from what I had been talking about before.

*Yachtsman: Approx. $81 w/tip

Escargot (to split)
California Delta Asparagus (Leslie)
Charcuterie Board (Marc)
2 Desserts​

*Kona Cafe: Approx. $70 w/tip

Pick Three (Marc)
Scallops & Shrimp (Leslie)
Cheesecake (Leslie)​

Narcoossee's: Approx. $90 w/tip

Chicken (Marc)
Lobster Spring Roll (Leslie)
Chowder (Leslie)
2 Desserts​

Total: $241ish

I like these three choices, one we have been too and the other are new for both of us. We decided to skip Boma for around $90 for a buffet and us both having a gastric band it is just not worth it. I feel the quality of the food will be better at Narcoossee's and Yachtsman and I'm okay with spending more money at those two places. Of course this is just an estimate for these three meals and we can change what we order but it gives us a good baseline estimate.

We decided that for Counter Service meals we will start out with splitting a full meal or in the case of Casey's we will each get an order of corn dog nuggets. I think at Counter Service meals we will most likely skip any sort of dessert and just go with other offerings later on, I plan to get my peanut butter cup on at Boardwalk Bakery at some point in this trip, not to mention zebra domes!

So for example sake, at Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom the Shrimp Po' Boy ($8.99) is calling my name. Or at Casey's an order of Corn Dog Nuggets is $4.19. I'm guessing we would have about 8 or so counter meals and I'm going to estimate with us splitting a meal and getting two drinks that it would cost about $15 for each one give or take. So that is approx. $120.

Table Service Meals: $241
Counter Service Meals: $120
Miscellaneous Food: $150
Total Food Budget: $511

I'm super happy with this, the dining plan was going to cost us about $515 and I am much happier with these plans.

This brings us to park days aka the thing that I can not plan for this trip. This is what I'm thinking now.

Sunday: Magic Kingdom 9AM - 2AM (EMHs)

Monday: Hollywood Studios 9AM - 10PM (EMHs)
Dinner @ Yachtmans

Tuesday: Epcot 8AM - 9PM (EMHs)
Dinner @ Kona Cafe

Wednesday: Animal Kingdom 9AM - 8PM (EMHs)

Thursday: Magic Kingdom 8AM - 8PM (EMHs)
Dinner @ Narcoossee's

Friday: Park of Choice

Are you sensing a trend? We are hitting parks on all of their EMHs days! I like the flow of park days this way, I'm just not 100% sure I like going on all of the EMHs days. What do you all think? Am I worrying for nothing? I do like the extra hours does give us more park time if we do take breaks which I imagine we will for sure on Epcot and Animal Kingdom days. I think I need to just stop over-thinking our plans.

 

[cdotla]

Hey Leslie...I hadn't read that you decided not to go with DVC for now. Now that you know how to rent points, that is almost just as good right? You know the old saying...you don't need to be a DVC member...you just to need know one to rent points from!

I think that is a good call on skipping the Boma buffet. I ALWAYS tend to overeat at buffets for fear of not getting my "money's worth". Plus, I agree with you....you will likely get far better value for your money with a Narcoossee's splurge.

As for EMH, I think you should be fine in January. However, my only hesitation would be that you don't have hoppers...when I have done EMHs (either morning or evening), I have always done another Park in the other half of the day so that I am not in the more crowded EMH Park longer than I need to be. Just a thought...

 

[Mndisneygirl]

So no good movies to watch tonight?

Just kidding! I like your nice new dining plan! You'll do fine.

Are those all evening EMH?
I think since January isn't all that busy it shouldn't matter. Plus with shorter park hours it might be good to go to pm EMH. I like that you get to go to Epcot earlier in your trip too!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Hey Leslie...I hadn't read that you decided not to go with DVC for now. Now that you know how to rent points, that is almost just as good right? You know the old saying...you don't need to be a DVC member...you just to need know one to rent points from!

I think that is a good call on skipping the Boma buffet. I ALWAYS tend to overeat at buffets for fear of not getting my "money's worth". Plus, I agree with you....you will likely get far better value for your money with a Narcoossee's splurge.

As for EMH, I think you should be fine in January. However, my only hesitation would be that you don't have hoppers...when I have done EMHs (either morning or evening), I have always done another Park in the other half of the day so that I am not in the more crowded EMH Park longer than I need to be. Just a thought...

I'm just afraid that we will make ourselves sick at Boma trying to get our "money's worth" and I just don't want to have that pressure. I like our restaurant choices for sure much better now.

That is what worries me with not having park hoppers but I think it will be fine in January and if it's too busy our first couple of days we can change our park plans to cope with that.

So no good movies to watch tonight?

Just kidding! I like your nice new dining plan! You'll do fine.

Are those all evening EMH?
I think since January isn't all that busy it shouldn't matter. Plus with shorter park hours it might be good to go to pm EMH. I like that you get to go to Epcot earlier in your trip too!

We actually had Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on the TV but I've seen it numerous times so Disney planning got most of my attention.

They are all evening EMHs except our Epcot day, those are morning hours. I like the idea with no hoppers that we will have extra time to take breaks on our Epcot and Animal Kingdom days. Maybe even Magic Kingdom depending on how the day unfolds.

 

[TarzansKat]

I don't really think it's better or worse to go on an EMH or non-EMH day. Honestly I just don't think in January that it'll affect you so badly, you know what I mean? And if you want to be able to have extra time in those parks on vacation, you should.

I love your dining plans, because you love them. When you're happy with your plans, that's when you know they're the right ones. And the thing is, without the dining plan, you're really ordering just what you want instead of what you have to.

Nana likes going without it, because sometimes, she'd rather just order two appetizers, one as an appetizer, and one as her meal. And it really works for her.

To each their own!

 

[DWGal210]

Late to the party, but I'm here!!

Your plans sound great, and I think you'll love AKL - it's a great resort!

You & your hubby both look fantatic - good for you!!!

Sounds like a great trip! I'll be here to read all about it!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Are you doing other EMH park days? I re-did my park days and now I'm mostly at the parks on EMH days. I honestly don't think it's going to affect us that much, it's January and I do don't thrill rides so it should be fine, right? I don't know why I am so worried about the crowds, but I am. I mean I have gone the last two Januarys and wasn't bothered by the crowds at all except for MK on Sunday...which makes me apprehensive. I need to get it out of my head that we have to eat full meals, we can graze our way around Disney and still be satisfied. I also think we are going to split any CS meals we order and if we are still hungry get something later on. I just need to relax!

Yes we have one more planned w/ DHS eve EMH night on Mon (like you too)...plus our last day is MK again and there is a morning EMH...we won't make it cause we are checking out...but it doesn't bother me.

and I agree w/ the sharing meals...I feel like I "over eat" when normally on the DDP yes sometime I am hungry but a lot of times I can get by w/ a smaller portion or share too...I budget high for not necessarily sharing meals and can play it by ear when we get there...plus my kids don't always go for the "age guideline" of what they can order etc I think the OOP will work for us!...yes relax...you're going to Disney

Okay, so the new plans. First let's talk about my new OOP food budget. We have three ADRs still but they look very different from what I had been talking about before.

*Yachtsman: Approx. $81 w/tip

Escargot (to split)
California Delta Asparagus (Leslie)
Charcuterie Board (Marc)
2 Desserts​

*Kona Cafe: Approx. $70 w/tip

Pick Three (Marc)
Scallops & Shrimp (Leslie)
Cheesecake (Leslie)​

Narcoossee's: Approx. $90 w/tip

Chicken (Marc)
Lobster Spring Roll (Leslie)
Chowder (Leslie)
2 Desserts​

Total: $241ish

sounds good...Matt and I [in Oct] are eating at Narcoossee's too for dinner, HBD for lunch and then a breakfast buffet at the Wave...and Im budgeting $235 ish for us including tax, tip and a few adult drinks w/ dinner...

I'm super happy with this, the dining plan was going to cost us about $515 and I am much happier with these plans.

isn't that a great feeling..

This brings us to park days aka the thing that I can not plan for this trip. This is what I'm thinking now.

Sunday: Magic Kingdom 9AM - 2AM (EMHs)

Monday: Hollywood Studios 9AM - 10PM (EMHs)
Dinner @ Yachtmans

Tuesday: Epcot 8AM - 9PM (EMHs)
Dinner @ Kona Cafe

Wednesday: Animal Kingdom 9AM - 8PM (EMHs)

Thursday: Magic Kingdom 8AM - 8PM (EMHs)
Dinner @ Narcoossee's

Friday: Park of Choice


our days are practically indentical good Disers think alike and we are NOT hopping either...

only major difference is Tues we are doing AK and the Marketplace and Wed we are doing EP all day w/ a break mid day at the resort

Are you sensing a trend? We are hitting parks on all of their EMHs days! I like the flow of park days this way, I'm just not 100% sure I like going on all of the EMHs days. What do you all think? Am I worrying for nothing? I do like the extra hours does give us more park time if we do take breaks which I imagine we will for sure on Epcot and Animal Kingdom days. I think I need to just stop over-thinking our plans.

I like it LL...you are right...my thinking w/ the EMH (especially eve ones) is to maximize our times...if you tour right get those FP's early in the morning you will be great...in Nov we did one of the 2 am eve EMH at MK...Bekah and i stayed the longest...KIM this was a level 10 day and we didn't even NEED the FP once past 12 am SWEET!

if you plan some breaks back at AKV, DTD or at a TS meal you will break up those days have some down time and be rearing to go for the extra hours

That is what worries me with not having park hoppers but I think it will be fine in January and if it's too busy our first couple of days we can change our park plans to cope with that.





They are all evening EMHs except our Epcot day, those are morning hours. I like the idea with no hoppers that we will have extra time to take breaks on our Epcot and Animal Kingdom days. Maybe even Magic Kingdom depending on how the day unfolds.

sounds good to me...

 

[Roxychica7]

My best friend still swears by Narcossee's, it's her fav all tme dinner spot! And I have always wanted to try Yachtsmans, and love Kona, so you have some great choices there!

I think EMH vs non-EMH won't really affect you in January, now say, in the summer or peak season, i personally would not go to an EMH then, but as is our experience with going in December so much, I don't think you'll have any problems!

 

[shannn]

I love Narcossees! The atmosphere is to die for! I'm jealous that you can eat counter meals with your band -- I just can't do it. My new stomach is so picky about protein.

I agree with everyone else about the emh days. Normally I stay away from them, but in January I don't think the crowds will matter and the extra time will be nice with the short park hours. Good plans!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I don't really think it's better or worse to go on an EMH or non-EMH day. Honestly I just don't think in January that it'll affect you so badly, you know what I mean? And if you want to be able to have extra time in those parks on vacation, you should.

I love your dining plans, because you love them. When you're happy with your plans, that's when you know they're the right ones. And the thing is, without the dining plan, you're really ordering just what you want instead of what you have to.

Nana likes going without it, because sometimes, she'd rather just order two appetizers, one as an appetizer, and one as her meal. And it really works for her.

To each their own!

I think you are right, the extra crowds that the EMHs draw is not going to be a huge difference in January. I think we will be just fine and at least it won't be hot and humid like it is in September so that will work in our favor as well.

I love the appetizers in January, don't get me wrong the meals are delicious too but for some reason I am just drawn more to the appetizer selections.

Late to the party, but I'm here!!

Your plans sound great, and I think you'll love AKL - it's a great resort!

You & your hubby both look fantatic - good for you!!!

Sounds like a great trip! I'll be here to read all about it!!

Oh you are never late to this party!

We are both so excited to stay at AKL, I never thought I'd really groove on the atmosphere there but we really loved checking it out last September.

Yes we have one more planned w/ DHS eve EMH night on Mon (like you too)...plus our last day is MK again and there is a morning EMH...we won't make it cause we are checking out...but it doesn't bother me.

and I agree w/ the sharing meals...I feel like I "over eat" when normally on the DDP yes sometime I am hungry but a lot of times I can get by w/ a smaller portion or share too...I budget high for not necessarily sharing meals and can play it by ear when we get there...plus my kids don't always go for the "age guideline" of what they can order etc I think the OOP will work for us!...yes relax...you're going to Disney


I like it LL...you are right...my thinking w/ the EMH (especially eve ones) is to maximize our times...if you tour right get those FP's early in the morning you will be great...in Nov we did one of the 2 am eve EMH at MK...Bekah and i stayed the longest...KIM this was a level 10 day and we didn't even NEED the FP once past 12 am SWEET!

if you plan some breaks back at AKV, DTD or at a TS meal you will break up those days have some down time and be rearing to go for the extra hours


sounds good to me...

Looks like we will have plenty of opportunities to meet up!!

I honestly don't know how late we will make it on the night MK is open until 2AM. I have grand ideas of staying that late but I don't see it happening. We shall see. Maybe we will take a nice long nap that afternoon after our room is ready?

I think the sharing of meals will work well for us. I have this tendancy to still over order food to this day, i guess it goes back to all of my food issues but I'm trying to work really hard on that and to know that if I'm still hungry I can order more. Sounds simple but it something I struggle with everyday.

My best friend still swears by Narcossee's, it's her fav all tme dinner spot! And I have always wanted to try Yachtsmans, and love Kona, so you have some great choices there!

I think EMH vs non-EMH won't really affect you in January, now say, in the summer or peak season, i personally would not go to an EMH then, but as is our experience with going in December so much, I don't think you'll have any problems!

I really really really want to try Narcoossee's. Plus Katie said the cheesecake was super awesome so I just have to try it for that reason.

I really like our new ADR choices, I think they will all be awesome meals.

I love Narcossees! The atmosphere is to die for! I'm jealous that you can eat counter meals with your band -- I just can't do it. My new stomach is so picky about protein.

I agree with everyone else about the emh days. Normally I stay away from them, but in January I don't think the crowds will matter and the extra time will be nice with the short park hours. Good plans!

I can pretty much eat anything with my band which can be good and bad at the same time. If only my band made it so I couldn't eat ice cream. This will be the least amount of fill I've had going to Disney since I've had my band. I still have episodes of getting stuck but not nearly as bad as it was in January of this past year.

 

[Charleston Princess]

All of your new plans look great -- both park days and dining plans! Plus, while you have budgeted a certain amount for food, again if you don't spend all of it, then you have really saved money over the dining plan -- after all, you don't get anything for credits you didn't use. When we went last July for Chelsea's birthday, we spent almost the same amount OOP than we would have on the dining plan, BUT we ate totally differently and it included alcoholic drinks and tips. So, really, we were so much happier not doing the dining plan.

 

[jenb1023]

This past January the only park we had EMH trouble with was the MK. It was a Monday, with evening EMH and a MSEP. It was a zoo - we left for the afternoon and went back for the parade. It felt like a 8 crowd day instead of a 4. I love AK's evening EMH!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I think the new plans sound great. And it looks like you'll be saving money without the DP. I know the totals were about the same, but your OOP cost included tips, so there's a good saving right there.

On the EMHs.... I've never done them, but I am considering it for this trip. I've been thinking that since Disney has stopped running the monorail on EMH evenings, that must mean that the crowds are too low to make it worth the cost. To me, that says EMHs might be a good idea, but what do I know? I REALLY want to do eve. EMHs at AK at least once though so I can see it at night. It's the only park I have never seen all lit up.

I think you've got a good plan going! You should feel good about it and stop worrying. And since all of your ADRs are at resorts, you are free to change your park days as needed without having to shift everything around. Worst case scenario.... you get there and see the EMHs days are too crowded, you can just switch to plan B and keep on going!